Marine Articles
Stay updated on the latest blog posts from DMS. Everything from videos to technical articles, the latest software, and so much more.
America’s Cup Hydrofoils: Dangers and Solutions
No discussion of hydrofoils is complete without addressing their application to the 2013 America’s Cup yachts. Catamarans screamed across the ocean. But with all that excitement, we sometimes forget how the crew jeopardized their lives in every race. This article presents an engineering perspective on the America’s Cup hydrofoils of 2013, with options for improvement.
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Hydrofoil Control: How to Stay on Foil
Why would an airplane company design a ship? When considering hydrofoil ships, aircraft share many of the same requirements. More specifically, every hydrofoil vessel needs a method of motion control, even sailing hydrofoils. This article discusses the problem of hydrofoil control and several solutions.
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Low Cost / High Performance Computing
If you want it done best, do it yourself! DMS developed a custom built high performance computer (HPC) for CFD calculations. But the exciting part: it cost about what you paid for that Dell workstation!
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Meet Intercon Articulated Tug Barge Connector
Meet the Intercon AT/B connector system. A beautiful piece of engineering used to connect tugs and barges for inland and coastal trade.
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Stability Fails at Seakeeping
Stability and seakeeping are frequently misunderstood. To understand the limits of these sciences, we must unveil the motivation behind their development. How to guarantee ship safety on an uncertain ocean?
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Hydrodynamics and Hull Design
A refined hull shape epitomizes the link between tradition and science. When we link the science of ship design with the experience of past ships, we identify the successes and isolate previous failures. This article glimpses into the background of hydrodynamics by exploring the link between the science of Bernoulli’s equation and the shape of ship hulls.
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Video: Selecting the Right Hullform
Monohull, catamaran, trimaran . . . so many choices. Which hullform to pick? Can we draw upon any science to guide our choices, or we beg Lady Luck to guide us? This article provides a rational and design map for selecting hullforms applicable to any type of mission. This organized approach allows us to see past the limitations of historic examples and consider new alternatives.
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How Many Tons in a Pound?
How man tons in a pound? When ships weigh thousands of tons, you really need to know which type of ton. So take five minutes and get clarity on the esoteric measurements of ship design.
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Six Tip to Improve Your FEA
An experienced engineer doesn’t have some magic button to deliver great FEA. Masters of FEA trade-craft hoard many little tricks and nuggets of wisdom to deliver better FEA. These tricks yield better ways to detect human errors and ensure model reliability. Or methods to deliver faster results. Today we share six nuggets of wisdom for better FEA.
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Splitting Waves and Hairs: Comparing X-Bow, Axe Bow, and More
Axe bow, X-bow; slim size, thin size. We currently enjoy an explosion of variety in bow shapes, each suited to a different task. These may all look the same with a cursory glance, but don’t get fooled. Nearly the same bow shape, used on a different vessel may work...
read moreHow do I Select the Right Hull?
Monohull, catamaran, trimaran . . . so many choices. Which hullform to pick? Can we draw upon any science to guide our choices, or shall we beg Lady Luck to guide us? Although hullform selection does involve some experience and artistic preference, naval architects...
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Go FAST Boat: Pros and Cons of a Planing Hull
ZOOM!!! No better way to describe planing boats. They pack very fast speeds into a very small package. Many planing boats achieve speeds well beyond the limits of larger craft. How do they do it? And what are the penalties for this extreme speed? Discover if a...
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Smooth Sailing: Pros and Cons of a SWATH Vessel
Welcome to luxury cruising. Glide above the waves without any jerky motions. Walk about your accommodation deck, unhampered by nasty rolling motions. If this temps you, come realize the dream of the SWATH vessel. But it comes at a price. Discover if this unique...
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Why You Want a Trimaran: Pros and Cons of a Trimaran
Three hulls are better than one! That would be the adage of the trimaran. It consists of one central hull with two smaller side hulls, called amas. The average person conceives of the trimaran as something even more extreme than catamarans. Lighter weight, higher...
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Me and My Six Imaginary Friends: The Practicalities of Yacht Layouts
What distinguishes a yacht designer from a ship designer like myself? Practicality. Commercial ships only consider practicality; aesthetics never gets considered. Personally, I pine to see a little more beauty in commercial vessels. But this ruthless discipline of...
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